Method and cleaning solution for cleaning a container

Abstract

A method and a solution are provided for cleaning a container, in particular a boiler of a conventional power station. The container is degreased and pickled in one method step using an alkaline cleaning solution. A suitable cleaning solution includes, for example, an ammonium EDTA salt, hydrazine and a surfactant.

We claim:  
     
       1. A method for cleaning a container to remove deposits, which comprises: 
       providing an alkaline cleaning solution, comprising from 40% to 50% by weight ammonium EDTA salt, from 0.1% to 2% by weight hydrazine, from 0.1% to 0.5% by weight of a surfactant, and a remainder of water;  
       introducing the alkaline cleaning solution into the container; and  
       deqreasing and pickling the container in a one method step to remove the deposits.  
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is a boiler of a power station. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , which comprises setting a pH of the cleaning solution at least 8.5. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , which comprises setting a pH of the cleaning solution maximally at 10. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , which comprises carrying out the degreasing and pickling at a temperature below 100° C. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , which comprises removing magnetite and lime deposits with the pickling. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ammonium EDTA salt is triammonium EDTA salt. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is ethoxylated fatty alcohol.